SPARC Future Champions – rising stars of NZ sport

24 November 2006

SPARC Future Champions – rising stars of New Zealand sport

SPARC (Sport and Recreation New Zealand) Chief Executive, Nick Hill, congratulates the ninety nine athletes throughout New Zealand who have been awarded the SPARC Future Champion Award.

The Award recognises sporting excellence of young people in secondary schools at a national level across a wide variety of sporting codes.

“It’s a great honour to award the SPARC Future Champion Award to this group of such highly talented and dedicated young athletes. With talent like this coming through, the sporting future of New Zealand looks stellar,” said Nick Hill, SPARC Chief Executive.

“The likes of Rebecca Spence form Rangitoto College, the winner of the SPARC Future Champ for Multisport, is a fantastic example of the kiwi talent and commitment coming through. She and her fellow SPARC Future Champs are ones to watch out for as rising stars. ” said Hill.

There were a total of 627 nominations selected from 216 schools: 127 athletes were awarded highly commended (second) and 401 athletes were finalists (third).

61 sports were represented, including the traditional sports of rugby, cricket and netball through to the more adventurous sports of snowboarding, BMX and Sumo Wrestling.

The calibre of the nominations and range of sports represented has again increased in 2006.

For a full list of the SPARC Future Champions award recipients in your region visit www.sparc.org.nz/education/sportfit/sparc-future-champions-2006

For further information on the athletes contact the Regional Sports Director in your Regional Sports Trust. For a full list of Regional Sports Directors visit www.sparc.org.nz/education/sportfit/regional-sports-directors.

ENDS

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